Amnesty International has released a report accusing Russia of engaging in human trafficking by deceiving foreign nationals into joining its military forces in Ukraine. The report, published on September 10, 2026, alleges that individuals from Brazil, Colombia, Sri Lanka, and South Africa were lured to Russia under the pretense of securing well-paid civilian or non-combat jobs. However, upon arrival, they were coerced into military service.
According to Amnesty International, these foreign nationals were misled through local agents and deceptive online job advertisements. The organization conducted interviews with prisoners of war in Ukrainian camps and foreign nationals currently serving with Russian forces, as well as their families, lawyers, human rights activists, and journalists. The findings suggest that many recruits were promised lucrative salaries and sign-up bonuses that were never delivered, and their freedom of movement was heavily restricted after signing military contracts.
Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International’s secretary general, stated, “Amnesty’s research demonstrates how Russia’s Armed Forces are bolstering their ranks with economically vulnerable foreign nationals and using them as cannon fodder in the war of aggression against Ukraine.” She emphasized that the level of exploitation and coercion involved in these practices amounts to human trafficking under the United Nations Palermo Protocol.
The report highlights the case of a South African man who applied online for a driving job in Poland. He was instructed to travel to Moscow to collect a truck, only to have his documents confiscated and be informed that he would become a soldier instead. Similar accounts were shared by recruits from Brazil and Sri Lanka, who reported having their passports and mobile phones taken before being sent to the front lines.
This revelation is part of a broader pattern of exploitation and coercion in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Both Russia and Ukraine have been recruiting foreign nationals into their armies since the invasion began. Amnesty International estimates that approximately 28,000 foreigners from 136 countries are currently fighting in the Russian army. In contrast, Ukraine claims that 16,000 foreign nationals from over 70 countries, including nearly 40 percent from Latin America, are serving in its military.
The report also notes the challenges in verifying these claims due to the ongoing conflict and limited access to certain areas. Amnesty International has been unable to conduct similar inquiries about foreigners in Ukraine’s army because it lacks access to prisoners of war held in Russia, where Amnesty is designated as a “foreign agent.”
Russia has dismissed accusations of coercing foreigners into joining its army, but the allegations raise significant concerns about international human rights and military ethics. The international community is likely to scrutinize these practices, and the report could prompt further investigations and diplomatic responses.
The situation underscores the complexities and human rights issues intertwined with the military strategies employed by Russia in the Ukraine conflict. As the war continues, the exploitation of economically vulnerable individuals for military purposes remains a critical concern for human rights organizations and the global community.
